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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staff
The signs and symptoms of ringworm of the scalp include:
- One or more round patches of scaly skin where the hair has broken off at or just above the scalp
- Patches that slowly expand or enlarge
- Scaly, gray or reddened areas
- Patches that have small black dots if your child has dark hair
- Brittle or fragile hair that easily pulls out
- Tender or painful areas on the scalp
Ringworm of the scalp is persistent and contagious if not treated. It spreads easily through person-to-person contact or through contact with pets and shared objects.
When to see a doctor
If you suspect your child has ringworm of the scalp, see your doctor. A prescription medication is needed to cure the infection.
- Goldstein AO, et al. Dermatophyte (tinea) infections. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 24, 2008.
- Habif TP. Superficial fungal infections. In: Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2004. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/104355536-2/742469442/1195/81.html?printing=true. Accessed Nov. 24, 2008.
- Andrews MD, et al. Common tinea infections in children. American Family Physician. 2008;77:1415.
- Lamisil approved to treat scalp ringworm in children. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/lamisil100907.html. Accessed Nov. 24, 2008.
- Ringworm and animals. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/diseases/ringworm.htm. Accessed Nov. 24, 2008.
- Verma S, et al. Superficial fungal infection: Dermatophytosis, onychomycosis, tinea nigra, piedra. In: Wolff K, et al. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008. http://accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2996600&searchStr=tinea+capitis. Accessed Nov. 24, 2008.
